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Launching three rockets in just 31 days, in January and February, is the main event for this year: first, the Advanced Land Observing Satellite, ALOS, by H-IIA F8 on January 19; next, the Multi-functional Transport Satellite 2, MTSAT-2, by H-IIA F9 on February 15; and finally the Infrared Astronomy Satellite, ASTRO-F, by M-V-8 on February 18. We are using two H-IIA rockets and one M-V rocket, and although the launch locations will be different, we have never attempted to launch as many as three rockets in one month.
We are hoping to be able to launch rockets regularly in the future, so this is our rehearsal. It is quite challenging for those who are in charge, as we cannot make it happen without overcoming many difficulties. We have been preparing very hard since the end of last year, and would like to demonstrate our capability of operating two launches at the same time.
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H-IIA Launch Vehicle |


M-V Launch Vehicle |
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It is absolutely imperative to keep the Japanese people informed about JAXA's activities. Last year was very successful in that sense, with Astronaut Noguchi's flight on the space shuttle and Hayabusa's arrival on Itokawa. Taking advantage of this increased public profile, we will create opportunities for meeting with the public through regular JAXA Town Hall Meetings, for example. Since journalists act as an important bridge between JAXA and the public, we need to release as much information as possible to the media. In addition, JAXA will make greater efforts to educate the public about aerospace development.
Thank you for your continued support this year.

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